CA - Maurice Taylor Jr, 12 & Maliaka Taylor, 13, decapitated, Lancaster, Dec 2020 *parents arrested*

[Wild Rose]

Wondering if he was abusive behind closed doors and the older children challenged him.

 

[Laughing]

I work in LA, OC, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. No. I do not believe the system in LA is completely broken. It’s just sometimes slow as every court system in a high population is.

Good to know, thank you!

Locally, we know most judges and my office is in the county courthouse; the Sheriff's Department is across the parking lot. I know up-close-and-personal that our Prosecutor's Office staff, Juvenile Office staff, court staff, and everyone else is focused on achieving the best end for anyone involved within the existing legal structure.

Of course, my local situation does not help young Mr. Taylor, Miss Taylor, or their siblings or mother & extended family.

RIP, sister & brother, comfort to your family.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[gitana1]

The DA is the reason why he isn't being fully charged. The directives he issued are why Taylor isn't facing at the minimum LWOP.

That’s why I said take it up with the DA. (But also, the legislature defines felony murder in CA which is what he apparently thinks this is).

That points to a decision by the DA and facts that haven’t yet been disclosed. It doesn’t point to the court system being completely broken. It’s not. It functions as well as can be expected in an area with such a large population. Obviously it’s not perfect but the OP was pointing to delays by “the lawyers” being allowed by the courts as an indication that the system is completely broken. No.

A defendant has speedy trial rights. The state is happy when they waive those rights because it makes it easier for the state to prepare an ironclad case against the defendant. All the motions and defenses that the OP indicates demonstrate the system is broken stem from constitutional rights to due process.

 

[Dawookie]

That’s why I said take it up with the DA. (But also, the legislature defines felony murder in CA which is what he apparently thinks this is).

That points to a decision by the DA and facts that haven’t yet been disclosed. It doesn’t point to the court system being completely broken. It’s not. It functions as well as can be expected in an area with such a large population. Obviously it’s not perfect but the OP was pointing to delays by “the lawyers” being allowed by the courts as an indication that the system is completely broken. No.

A defendant has speedy trial rights. The state is happy when they waive those rights because it makes it easier for the state to prepare an ironclad case against the defendant. All the motions and defenses that the OP indicates demonstrate the system is broken stem from constitutional rights to due process.

The DA's made the decision to charge him with felony murder yes, but they also couldn't charge him with the multiple murder allegation because of Gascon. There's no facts that haven't been disclosed that would prevent them from doing that because they've been directed not to file any enhancements or allegations that would end up with death penalty or LWOP sentence. They've also been directed that 15 years is the longest sentence they can ask for.

And it's not just this case, but cases that are already in the court system and ones that have already gone to trial. There's absolutely no reason that cases that have already been charged or decided should be changed because he doesn't like the death penalty or LWOP.

I agree with you the system isn't completely broken. However it is now broken in the sense that victims won't get the full force of the system behind them and have to worry about their attacker spending the least amount of time possible in prison.

 

[gitana1]

The DA's made the decision to charge him with felony murder yes, but they also couldn't charge him with the multiple murder allegation because of Gascon. There's no facts that haven't been disclosed that would prevent them from doing that because they've been directed not to file any enhancements or allegations that would end up with death penalty or LWOP sentence. They've also been directed that 15 years is the longest sentence they can ask for.

And it's not just this case, but cases that are already in the court system and ones that have already gone to trial. There's absolutely no reason that cases that have already been charged or decided should be changed because he doesn't like the death penalty or LWOP.

I agree with you the system isn't completely broken. However it is now broken in the sense that victims won't get the full force of the system behind them and have to worry about their attacker spending the least amount of time possible in prison.

This guy is never getting out of prison. He will be in there for life.

 

[Tealgrove]

I wonder if he was abusive to his wife the older kids tried to defend her. I can see huge rage if all of a sudden an abuser is challenged by someone he considers less than himself.

Could be the thing that set him off. No matter, this guy is an absolute monster in every sense of the word.

It would be interesting to know if he was under psychiatric care and/or on meds for a psychiatric disorder.

MOO

 

[Lusitana]

12 and 11 are though ages, for kids and for parents. The kids seemed so sweet on the pictures that were made public though, I can't imagine those poor souls doing something so "bad" to make him angry. There are no explanations or excuses, this man is a monster.

 

[Niner]

Monday, Dec. 21st:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA- Maurice Taylor, Jr. (12) & Maliaka Taylor (13)(on Nov. 29, 2020, found on Dec. 4, 2020, Lancaster, found decapitated) - *Maurice Jewel Taylor, Sr. (34) father arrested (12/4/20) & charged (12/8/20) with 2 counts of felony murder & 2 counts child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death (8 & 9 yr. old boys were starved for several days). $4.2M Bond.
Detectives have learned that L.A. County Fire Personnel received a call at the location regarding a possible gas leak. Fire personnel responded & made entry into the location, at which time they saw a male & a female deceased inside the location. Fire personnel immediately called L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Lancaster Station deputies, which responded & secured the location. Detectives have learned that the deceased male & female both appeared to be suffering from lacerations & stab wounds. At the location there was also one male & one female adult, along with two other children who are currently being questioned by Homicide Investigators.
12/4/20 Update: Initial hearing on 12/8/20 was cancelled. 12/8/20 Update: Taylor was ordered to be held in lieu of $4.2 million bail while awaiting arraignment Dec. 21 in a Lancaster courtroom on 2 felony counts each of murder & child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. (the child abuse charges pertain to boys 8 & 9 years old, who were shown the bodies & forced to stay in their rooms & starved for several days).

 

[Lusitana]

No new details?

 

[Dawookie]

No new details?

One of the local AV news websites is reporting on FB that things were suspended today because the court declared a doubt about his mental competency.

Just waiting for them to update their article on the website

 

[Dawookie]

Head of DCFS says home of Lancaster decapitations received police call in 2013

I know the question was asked earlier in the thread about how long they've lived there. It appears from this interview it's been at least since 2013 when DCFS received a call for there

 

[realanastasia]

One of the local AV news websites is reporting on FB that things were suspended today because the court declared a doubt about his mental competency.

Just waiting for them to update their article on the website

Seems to be paranoid and delusional, at least based on his remarks in court:
PICTURED: Personal trainer dad, 34, accused of beheading his son, 12, and daughter, 13 | Daily Mail Online

 

[Dawookie]

Seems to be paranoid and delusional, at least based on his remarks in court:
PICTURED: Personal trainer dad, 34, accused of beheading his son, 12, and daughter, 13 | Daily Mail Online

Wow, after reading that I would have to agree. Amazing the Daily Mail has an article but can't find anything from the local LA stations

 

[Lusitana]

Thanks for sharing that. Interesting.

He’s either one of those dudes that think they are better and smarter than everyone, or he’s super messed up in the head.

I honestly wonder what is plan was. Was he seriously going to make them live there, with two dead children?

 

[Niner]

Court Declares Doubt About Mental Competency in Lancaster Decapitation Case

Dec. 22, 2020

Criminal proceedings were suspended Monday for a Lancaster man who allegedly decapitated two of his children and forced his two other children to view their slain siblings' remains, as the court declared a doubt as to his mental competency.

Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr., a 34-year-old personal trainer, appeared in a Lancaster courtroom Monday morning but did not enter a plea. A mental health court hearing and evaluation was scheduled for Jan. 6, and a status update was set for Jan. 13, according to the District Attorney's Office.

 

[Niner]

Upcoming Scheduled Events

Date Time Location Dept/Room Number
January 13, 2021 08:30 AM Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse A01 FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

link: Criminal Case Summary - Online Services - LA Court

 

[Filly]

At least we got to see pictures of those gorgeous kids. The victim.

Weird the way.his friend/client described it the wife was the aggressor. Him Harvey Milton's.

Anyone who can do such a horrific thing to anyone let alone their.kids ain't right.in the head.

 

[Dawookie]

Decapitation murder suspect must have a mental competency hearing

 

[katydid23]

Thanks for sharing that. Interesting.

He’s either one of those dudes that think they are better and smarter than everyone, or he’s super messed up in the head.

I honestly wonder what is plan was. Was he seriously going to make them live there, with two dead children?

And he made the young boys see the decapitated bodies, then go sit in their rooms, WITHOUT any food for days at a time?

Those poor boys will need a lot of professional care and a strong support system.

Is their Mother mentally competent? We don't hear much about her- but she was supposedly there in the home----???? How did that work?

 

[Marg from Oz]

Strange that there has been no mention of the mother. I should imagine she was severely traumatised as well. MOO